By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 20 June 2026 - For institutions that depend on technology to deliver education, electricity is as important as classrooms and textbooks. Yet across many parts of Kenya, unreliable power supply continues to disrupt learning, damage equipment and increase operating costs.
The challenge is particularly acute in informal settlements, where power outages and voltage fluctuations are common.
At Oasis Mathare, a learning institution located in one of Nairobi's informal settlements, electricity interruptions were for years a regular part of daily operations. Established in 2016, the institution specializes in software engineering and digital skills training, making a stable power supply critical to its work.
According to the institution's director, Douglas Mwangi, blackouts sometimes lasted for days, bringing classes to a standstill. But it was not only the outages that posed a problem. Unstable electricity and frequent power surges repeatedly damaged equipment that students relied on for their training.
Over the years, more than 50 computers have been destroyed by power surges, Mwangi says, with many of the incidents linked to unstable and illegal electricity connections commonly found in informal settlement areas. The losses represented a significant financial burden for an institution whose programs are built around technology.
“When the power goes off, learning stops,” Mwangi says. “For a software engineering institution, computers are not optional tools. They are the classroom."
The consequences of unreliable electricity extend beyond damaged equipment. Lessons are interrupted, assignments are delayed, and students lose valuable time that could otherwise be spent developing technical skills. For institutions operating on limited budgets, replacing damaged devices can divert resources away from other educational priorities.
Two months ago, Oasis Mathare sought a different solution. The institution received a 10-kilowatt (10 kW) solar power system donated by Royal Holloway, University of London. Under favourable weather conditions, the system is capable of generating between 50 and 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day, providing a reliable source of power for the institution's learning activities and technology infrastructure.
“The solar panels continue generating electricity even when sunshine is limited,” Mwangi says. “That helps ensure that learning activities are not interrupted.”
The installation has reduced the institution's dependence on an unreliable grid and helped shield it from the outages and voltage fluctuations that previously disrupted learning and damaged equipment. It has also significantly reduced electricity costs.
The experience at Oasis Mathare reflects a broader question facing learning institutions across the country: how schools can guarantee reliable power in an increasingly digital learning environment.
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As schools increasingly integrate computers, internet-based learning platforms and digital teaching resources into their programmes, the need for reliable electricity becomes more pressing. A power outage in a traditional classroom may be an inconvenience; in a computer laboratory, it can bring all learning activities to a halt.
Dr. Pengzhan Qian, a researcher from Royal Holloway, University of London who oversees the project, says renewable energy can help institutions address persistent power challenges.
He notes that while the initial investment in solar infrastructure can be substantial, the long-term benefits can be significant. Reduced electricity expenditure allows institutions to redirect resources towards learning materials, infrastructure development and other educational priorities.
According to Dr. Qian, access to consistent electricity has also been associated with improved attendance and academic performance, largely because students and teachers are able to work without interruptions.
"Learning institutions have lower expenditure on electricity, allowing resources to be redirected to other projects that directly benefit students," he says.
The transition to solar power will not solve every challenge facing educational institutions. However, the experience of Oasis Mathare illustrates how access to reliable energy can remove one of the most persistent obstacles to technology-driven learning.
As schools and training centres continue to expand digital learning programmes, access to dependable electricity is likely to become increasingly important. In areas where power interruptions remain common, solar energy is emerging as one option for institutions seeking a more reliable source of power.
Explainer: Why Learning Institutions Must Transition to Solar Power
For Oasis Mathare, solar installation has reduced the institution's dependence on an unreliable grid and helped shield it from the outages and voltage fluctuations.